The Litchfield Recreation Commission (LRC) is comprised of six (6) appointed volunteers, four (4) alternates, and one (1) Selectman's representative. The LRC closely follows the recommended guidelines as found in "A Guide to Municipal Recreation" by the New Hampshire Office of State Planning, and is governed by New Hampshire Revised Statues Annotated (RSA) 35-B. The LRC strives to present the community of Litchfield with quality, fun, and educational programming while ever cognizant of budgetary constraints and community support.
The LRC has developed several sub-committees to address the various needs of the commission. The committees are Administration, Facilities, Finance, General Programming, Grant Administration, Land Acquisition, and Recreational Basketball. Additional committees will form as needs and time progress. The Town of Litchfield currently employs two part time positions within the LRC budgets: a Custodian and a Groundskeeper. We are also making better usage of the Town Web site to promote better communications. Please go to www.litchfield.mv.com/LitchfieldWeb/ParksAndRec/parks_and_rec_.htm for facility usage forms and a calendar of upcoming events.
Social and recreational programming for youth, families and adults continue in 2004. We continued our free family film series and have increased our partnering with other civic groups and the schools to provide recreational opportunities for the community. The Recreation Commission used its group buying power to sell discounted movie, Water Country, and Six Flags tickets saving thousands of dollars for Litchfield families. A special thanks to Diane, Pat and Claire at the Town Clerk's Office for making it easy for residents to buy tickets to our programs. We are always looking for new ideas, and are particularly interested in your suggestions for additional adult and senior activities. We also will be expanding our partnering efforts with the schools, school based groups, and other civic organizations.
The LRC is constantly working to improve the physical facilities used for recreation. In 2004 we continued field improvements at the Coming, Brickyard, and Roy Memorial Park facilities by pooling our resources with the Litchfield Baseball Association, Youth Soccer, and Girl's Softball. We will continue with this type of group cooperation to improve and expand the physical facilities for the residents of Litchfield. We also completed a number of maintenance and improvement projects at Talent Hall. A major maintenance effort is being planned at the Skate Park for 2005. A new playground facility was also built at the Jeff Lane park to serve the residents on the north end of town. For 2005 we are planning to improve the access to Parker Park on Charles Bancroft Highway (route 3A) south of Griffin Memorial School and the nature trail there that was built in cooperation with Nesenkeag Cooperative Farm along Nesenkeag Brook.
For athletic programming the LRC oversees Recreation Basketball and helps facilitate the Litchfield Baseball Association, Youth Soccer, and Girl's Softball. These programs continue to expand with about 400 youths involved with the basketball program, over 350 in youth baseball, 400 in spring and fall soccer, and 172 in girls' softball. There were an additional 150 participants in the summer youth soccer camps. The Litchfield Girl's Softball League also continues to provide scholarships through their fund raising. Last year they granted $1500 to five Campbell High senior girls. We are continuing to form closer ties with all the sports groups in the town and the school programs. All these programs continue to expand to the point that demands for usage during peak seasons exceeds available resources. The LRC is committed to developing additional facilities within the town to meet these demands in cooperation with the schools and sports organizations.
The LRC is also partnering with other organizations with like missions to help fulfill the needs of the community. Talent Hall is regularly used by local nonprofit organizations such as Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading, CYO Basketball and Cheerleading, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Gate City Striders, Friends of Aaron Cutler Memorial Library, and the Litchfield Lion's Club. The school district also makes regular use of several of our fields.
Financially the LRC did well in 2004. Through fiscal responsibility and good management we finished the year under budget. 2005 will continue to be a major fiscal challenge, but we are committed to continue to deliver the highest level of facilities and programming we can within these budgetary constraints.
The LRC will undoubtedly increase deliverables to the Town of Litchfield, beyond budgetary constraints, as a result of the dedication of volunteers and community support. As the Town of Litchfield grows, so will the recreational needs of the Town. Each season programs are expanding, and the impact on the fields and facilities will be evident in increased maintenance costs and degradation of these facilities from over use. Additional field space will be required to support this growth. Currently the Town is below state standards in almost all areas for recreation facilities. Through good management and cooperation between the groups involved we have been able to maintain our programs despite the scarce resources. Going forward the LRC is working with the Litchfield Schools, Litchfield Baseball Association, and Litchfield Youth Soccer to develop additional facilities and maximize the use we get out of existing facilities.
With continued support, the LRC can develop the recreational facilities and programs within Litchfield to properly support its users. Volunteer participation is the key. In order for the LRC to expand much beyond current offerings additional staffing will be required. We are always looking of programming help and ideas. Please see any commission member to volunteer your time or ideas.
Respectfully Submitted, Horace Seymour, Chairman Litchfield Recreation Commission